“Yeah.You don’t trust me, and I can’t trust you.Not with my heart or…” She trails off.
I swallow hard.“You can, Elle.I messed up, but I’m trying.Dating and all of this is new to me.I’ll be better.”
“I know you will.But I think that we should keep things professional.”
“No.”
“I… It’s not just up to you,” she says, some of her fire returning to her eyes.
“I made a mistake.You did too.Now we move on from it.”
“Yeah, in opposite directions!”she snaps.
I shake my head.“I’m going to make this up to you.Just give me a chance.”
She doesn’t look like she believes me, and I inch my way closer in case she slams the door in my face.
“Declan, really, it’s okay.We don’t have to do this.”
“Yes, we do.Let’s go out to dinner.”
“No.”
“Just dinner, Elle.You have to eat.So do I.It’s a date.”
She sighs, rolling her eyes.
I reach out and take her hand.“Come on.”
“Fine.”
She grabs her coat and shoves her feet into a pair of boots.I lead her out to my car and scramble to come up with a place to eat.It has to be good since this is our first official date.I need to make sure it’s perfect.
Neither of us is dressed up, so that eliminates anywhere fancy.
“What are you hungry for?”
“A burger,” she replies.
I turn the car toward Wolf Valley.
“Uh, where are we going?”Elle asks when I hit the highway.
“Toasty Buns in Wolf Valley.That’s your favorite place, right?”
“Um, yeah,” she admits.“We don’t have to drive all the way there, though.”
“I don’t mind.”
“Great.”
We drive in silence for a few minutes before Elle clears her throat.“Why are you doing all this?You could have anyone… or no one.Whichever you prefer.”
“I want you, Elle.I’ve never felt this way about anyone before.That has to mean something.”
She turns to look out the window.“Same,” she whispers.
I smile.
